THE Bromsgrove-based non-profit organisation FosterTalk has been marking a year since it was granted the contract to deliver the government funded service Fosterline England.

The service provides confidential free-of-charge impartial advice and guidance on a broad range of issues affecting foster carers, and the company celebrated its first anniversary with a tea party at Avoncroft Museum.

The event also provided an opportunity to announce the upcoming launch of the Fosterline Foundation, which is aimed at raising money to keep the Fosterline service running into the future.

FosterTalk Ltd’s managing director Melody Douglas, said: “I am very pleased that our first year of delivering Fosterline has been such a success; during the last 12 months we have provided personal advice via telephone, email, web form and social media forums to over 12,600 individuals.

"I am immensely proud of the staff team at FosterTalk who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the Fosterline service across England which has enabled more people to contact the service and obtain the support, information and advice that they have needed. People who are already fostering have sought vital support and information on a range of matters including finances, allegations and other fostering matters and people who are interested in fostering regularly contact the services for advice and information on how to go about becoming a foster carer.”

The company is also encouraging foster carers to hold their own fundraising tea parties. Ms Douglas added: “If people could donate the proceeds of their own tea party or a get together with friends for a coffee to the Fosterline Foundation it will help towards sustaining this valuable service to foster carers.”

To find out more or to donate to the the Fosterline Foundation, visit fosterline.info.

To speak to a Fosterline adviser, write to enquiries@fosterline.info or call 0800 0407675.